About Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a chronic, often progressive, autoimmune disease in
which the immune system attacks its own body.

Scleroderma means “hard skin.” It can cause a thickening and
tightening of the skin. In some cases, it causes serious damage to internal
organs including the lungs, heart, kidneys, esophagus and gastrointestinal
tract. As scarring, or sclerosis, of these organs and organ systems progress,
they work less effectively, and can lead to organ failure and death.

Some medications and treatments can help with certain symptoms,
but there is no cure for Scleroderma. The disease affects about 300,000 people
across the U.S. In comparison, approximately the same number of people are
affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

About the
Scleroderma Foundation

The Scleroderma Foundation is the national organization for people
with Scleroderma, their families and friends. It was formed Jan. 1, 1998, by a
merger between the United Scleroderma Foundation and the Scleroderma
Federation.

The Scleroderma Foundation is headquartered in the metro Boston
area in Danvers, Mass. It is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to
serving the interests of people living with Scleroderma. The Foundation has a
network of 23 chapters and 168 support groups committed to carrying out the
three-fold mission of support, education and research. The Scleroderma
Foundation funds an average of $1 million in new grants each year to find the
cause and cure for Scleroderma.

About
Vertical Cure

Vertical Cure is a fundraising alpine ski event challenging
participants to ski as many vertical feet as possible in one day. Our goal is
to raise awareness of scleroderma - a chronic, autoimmune tissue disease that
currently does not have a cure - as well as secure charitable pledges to
support research for the disease. The past 16 years, our event has raised over
$400,000 for the Scleroderma Foundation as participants have skied over 16.1
million feet (3,057 miles) for the cause.

Please join us for Vertical Cure!

The event
idea was created by Chris Corman and his close friend Phil Delurgio while
riding up a ski lift in Whistler, Canada.
Both of their moms have suffered from the rare Scleroderma disease.

“Our goal is
not only to raise money for the Scleroderma Foundation, but we want to create
awareness of the disease – and have a good time doing it”. Founder - Chris Corman

Vertical
Cure has been held at Mammoth Mountain every April since 2002.